Tragedy at Simhachalam Temple: Committee Probes Wall Collapse That Killed Seven Devotees
NEWS CHARIOT : A tragic incident at the revered Simhachalam Appanna Temple has sent shockwaves across Andhra Pradesh after a wall collapse led to the death of seven devotees. The collapse occurred near a tunnel leading to Pushkarini, where a crowd had gathered as part of ongoing temple activities. The unfortunate event has not only sparked public outrage but also raised serious questions about negligence in temple management and construction practices.
In response to the incident, the Andhra Pradesh government has announced the formation of a three-member committee to thoroughly investigate the tragedy. The panel, consisting of senior officials and experts, is expected to submit a detailed report to the state government by this evening.
Preliminary findings have already begun to expose a series of lapses by the temple authorities, engineers, and officials connected to the Simhachalam Devasthanam. The committee is reportedly uncovering that construction activities were carried out in violation of Agama Shastra principles and Vedic traditions. Despite repeated warnings and advice from temple scholars and religious experts, the officials allegedly ignored traditional guidelines and proceeded with development works under the Prasad scheme.
Further complicating the matter, it has been revealed that a tunnel—integral to temple access and historically significant—was demolished three months ago by engineers who later began constructing a bridge and road in its place. This construction is now believed to have directly contributed to the collapse that claimed the lives of the devotees.
Sources say temple scholars have expressed strong concerns to the committee, stating that the project was initiated without appropriate religious or structural consultations. As the inquiry deepens, tension is mounting among temple engineers and officials, who now await the committee’s final report with apprehension.
